ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀᴄᴏʟᴏʀꜱ | ✓

ɢʀᴀᴘᴇ

Alana  | Jared 

"Hey, Jared."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"I have your number saved, duh."

"Ah. Fair enough. So did you get-"

"Yes, I did, and oh my god—You. Are. So. Talented. I can't believe you sketched a portrait of me and sent it. Here I thought you had no guts whatsoever to flirt."

"Wow, you think so highly of me."

"Oh, don't be a baby. I complimented your talents which I don't do very often with people. But, ugh, that newspaper picture of mine sucks. "

"Yeah, what were you doing in the picture anyway?"

"It was taken a year ago. When dad thought of appointing me as the heir to his company. Apparently, I got that mess cleaned up so my dad's hoping my little brother would do the honors when he comes of age."

"Thanks for the story but I asked why were you in the picture."

"Right. My dad wanted me to be in the picture because after that he was going to announce that I would take over the company in a couple of years. But right after the photo was taken, I told him I did not want to do so. He was angry at first but then he got over it."

"Sounds pressurizing."

"It used to be. But not really now. Though I hope it's not much of a burden on my brother."

"So how many siblings do you have?"

"It was me and my brother until I was eleven. Then dad remarried and I have a stepsister now,"

"Ivory, right?"

"Yep, her. My best friend."

"Yea...the one who threatened me."

"Hahaha, yep. My dad ended up marrying her mom and so we're sisters now. I think it's great that I get to live with my best friend."

"It is. So what about your mom and her dad?"

"Uh..."

"You don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

"No, it's okay. I'll say it. I should anyway. Ivory doesn't know her dad. She was a result of a one night stand. Her mom was 22."

"Oh. I can't imagine how she must feel about that. Sorry."

"She says she doesn't care about him so she's never tried to find him. Anyway, about my mum. She, umm, passed away when I was 9. Brain tumor."

"Shit, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay,"

"So the white roses are for her?"

"Yep. You noticed?"

"You ordered them again last month when it wasn't my shift. I saw it in the directory."

"I go to her grave every month, the same date. White roses are—were—her favorite."

"That's sweet of you."

"Okay, enough sappy talk."

"Alright, alright. I have something to tell you."

"Okay, proceed."

"You know, I applied to colleges, yeah?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I got in."

"Oh my god, that's amazing!"

"I know. They're offering a scholarship, full-ride."

"I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!"

"Okay, okay, I get it. Don't destroy my hearing."

"I'm going to make a painting for you as a congratulatory gift."

"On that note, I remembered something."

"What?"

"Did you hear about the artist that died?"

"Huh?"

"Too many strokes."

"That was the dumbest pun I've ever heard. Did you read it off google?"

"..."

"Well?"

"..."

"Don't you hang up on me!"

Click.

"What a prick!"